Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO
Local Obituaries for the Week of March 20, 2003

Jewell Ray Brand
Jewell Ray Brand was born Monday, August 8, 1910, at Cuba, mo., a son of
the late Rev. John Franklin Brand and Mary Elizabeth Brand (nee Jones). He
entered eternal life Monday, March 10, 2003, in the Gibbs Care Center,
Steelville, mo., at the age of 92 years, 7 months and 2 days.
In 1941, at Union, Mo., Jewell was united in marriage to Reba Lee
Howdeshell, daughter of Annie Elizabeth (Askins) and Frank Howdeshell. Two
sons were born to this union. They have enjoyed sixty-two years together.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by four brothers,
Leslie Brand and wife Edith, David Brand and wife Bessie, Tom Ludwig and
wife Dorothy, Norton Brand and wife Carrie; three sisters, Verna and
husband Robin Farrar, Rosella and husband Esco Mincher and Anna Ray;
brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Clarence Nipper, Lee and Carol
Howdeshell, Hildred and Minuard Setzer and Harry Owen.
Among those who remain to mourn his passing are his devoted wife Reba Brand
of the home in Steelville, Mo.; two sons, Tom Brand and wife Linda of
Hazelwood, Mo., Doug Brand and wife Cindy of Steelville, Mo.; one sister,
Elinora Nipper of Lemay, Mo.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ithel
Owen of Joplin, Mo., Ralph Ray of Steelville, Mo., Cletis and Loretta
Howdeshell of Bourbon, Mo.; five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren,
nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Jewell Ray Brand lay in state 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at the
Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Funeral services were held
11 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2003, in the Britton Chapel with Rev. Jerry
Beers officiating.
Committal prayers and interment were in New Dillard Cemetery, Dillard, Mo.
Serving as pallbearers were Alan Adams, James Brand, Russell Brand, Robert
Merritt, Dale Owens and Jerry Setzer.
All arrangements under the direction of the Britton Brothers Funeral Home
of Steelville, Mo.

James A. Hollingshead, Sr.
James A. Hollingshead, Sr., (formerly of Cuba, Mo.) was born on December 8,
1927 at Leasburg, Mo. to the union of James William Hollingshead and Osa
Ann (Farrar) Hollingshead and passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2003 at
Calhoun, Georgia at the age of 75 years, 3 months and 1 day.
On December 17, 1948 James was united in marriage to Joyce Gandy. To this
union one son, James, and four daughters, Sue, Elaine, Brenda, and Linda
were born. They were blessed with almost 35 years together until Joyce
preceded him in death in 1983.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, James William and Osa Ann
Hollingshead, and three grandchildren, James Lee, Ricky Lee and Keith
Allen.
Those who survive to mourn his passing from this life are his son, James
Hollingshead, Jr.; four daughters, Sue Akley and husband Wes, Elaine
Loughridge, Brenda Hays and husband Jack, and Linda Maxey; three brothers,
Pearl Hollingshead and wife Bonnie, Charles Hollingshead and wife Vicky,
and David Hollingshead and wife Flo; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen
Hollingshead and Charlotte Pankey; seven sisters, Lillian Shoemaker, Elsie
Headrick and husband Edward, Ruby Brew, Betty Hilliard and husband Kellis,
and Margaret Anderson; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews,
other relatives and many friends.
James A. Hollingshead was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather,
uncle, an friend to all who knew him and will be sadly missed.
James A. Hollingshead was in state at the Britton Funeral Home in Cuba, Mo.
where funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 12 at 2 p.m. All
arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home of Cuba,
Mo.

Zelma Jackson
Zelma Jackson was born September 23, 1926 in Michael, Illinois, daughter of
the late Arthur and Arvella Branham. She passed away on Saturday, March 8,
2003 at St. Mary's Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 76 years,
5 months, and 13 days.
In 1943, Zelma was united in marriage to Ralph Trask and to this union
eight children were born.
She was united in marriage to William Jackson on July 9, 1966, in Fidelity,
Illinois, until the time of his passing on April 1, 1986.
Zelma was a homemaker and worked as a cook for Illinois Valley. She was a
member of the Fidelity Assembly of God Church.
In addition to her parents and William, Zelma was proceeded in death by
three grandsons, Damon Price, Dale Price and Gabriel Pichford; one brother,
Arthur "Jack" Branham; and one sister Irene Scott.
Those who survive to mourn her passing are four daughters, Sue Trask of
Jerseyville, Illinois, Jackie and husband Terry Derbin of Medora, Illinois,
Jeanie and husband Gene Buck of Fidelity, Illinois, and Judi and husband
Mike Harmon of Steelville, Missouri; four sons, Ralph Trask and wife Janet
of Jerseyville, Illinois, Bradley Trask of Godfrey, Danny Trask and wife
Nancy of Wood River, Illinois, and Roger Trask of Medora, Illinois.
In addition to her children Zelma is survived by her step-children,
Florence and husband Louis Welnant of East Alton, Illinois, and Gene
Jackson and wife Linda of Bethalto, Illinois; three sisters, Elenor and
husband Louis Robeen of Michael, Illinois, Lorain and husband Roy
Ripplinger of Hardin, Illinois, and Delores and husband Jim Holland of Dow,
Illinois; three brothers, Richard "Dick" Branham and wife Kay of Michael,
Illinois, John Branham of Wood River, Illinois, and Donald Branham and wife
Mae of Cottage Hills; 19 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren.
Zelma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and good friend
to all who know her and will be sadly missed.
Zelma Jackson was in state Monday, March 8, 2003, 4-8 p.m. at Gubser
Funeral Home, Jerseyville, Illinois. Funeral services were held Tuesday,
March 11, 2003 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Lucile Anderson officiating, in Gubser
Funeral Home. Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, Illinois.

Clifford Charles Lewis
Clifford Charles Lewis of Cuba, Mo. was born September 23, 1930 in
Sarasota, Florida to the union of Joseph Peter and Verda (Thomas) Lewis and
passed away on March 5, 2003 at his home in Cuba, Mo. at the age of 72
years, 5 months and 12 days.
In 1945 Clifford enlisted in the Army of the United States of America. He
served with the Army 76th Construction Engineer Battalion in Korea until he
was honorably discharged in 1952.
On September 10, 1955 Clifford was united in marriage to Clara Jane Veltrop
at St. Peters Cathedral in Jefferson City, Mo. They enjoyed over 47 years
together. Three sons, Clifford Charles, Jr., David and Thomas; and two
daughters, Joyce and Laura were born to this union.
He retired from General Motors in 1989 and moved to Cuba. He was also a
member of the Cuba VFW.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, J. P. Lewis,
three sisters, Daisy Marshall, Marylee McDonald and Freda Wemmer, and three
infant siblings.
Those who remain to mourn his passing from this life are his loving wife,
C. Jane Lewis of the home in Cuba, Mo., five children and their spouses,
Clifford Charles, Jr. and wife Sherry Lewis, and Joyce Lewis of Cuba, Mo.,
David and Tammy Lewis, Laura and Ron Buehrle, and Thomas and Adele Lewis,
all of St. Charles County, Mo.
Four sisters, Frances Manick, Jean Ouzts, Nona Bembry and Dorothy Moulton
all of Florida, eleven grandchildren, Clifford Charles III, Dahlia,
Brandon, Chad, Gregory and Alix Lewis, Megan and Kyle Cissell, Brian,
Matthew and Andrew Buehrle, and three great-grandchildren, Gabriel,
Clifford Charles IV and Christian Lewis, other relatives and many friends.
Clifford was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather,
brother, uncle and friend and will be sadly missed.
Memorial services were held at the Britton Chapel in Cuba, Mo. on Saturday,
March 8, 2003 at 4 p.m. with Pastor Jack Shepherd officiating. All
arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Funeral Home in Cuba,
Mo.

Velma McInnis Scott
Velma Mclnnis Scott, nee Leonard, beloved wife, mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, teacher and friend passed away Sunday,
March 9, 2003 after enjoying a wonderful and rewarding life of 98 years.
She was proud she had been able to stay in her home until February 2002
when she became ill with pneumonia. After a seven week stay in Missouri
Baptist Hospital, St. Louis, she needed special care and became a resident
of Gibbs Care Center. The caregivers there helped her enjoy her remaining
months and our family appreciate their loving care and concern.
Velma was born January 25, 1905, daughter of William L. and Martha Zada
Smith Leonard, in the family Home located in the Deep Ford community on the
Dry Fork in Dent County.
She was a sister to Pearl Leonard Craddock, Eunice Leonard Williams, Hubert
and Elsworth Leonard. Velma attended the Deep Ford Elementary School and
graduated from the Sullivan High School in 1924 with honors. After high
school, she attended Southwest Missouri State College and Rolla School of
Mines.
She became a teacher and while teaching in Cuba she met her husband to be,
Joy McInnis. They were married in 1931.
She continued to teach until their daughters were born in 1934 and 1938 and
then helped operate their business. She was a great cook and baker and
served delicious family style meals at Hotel Main for 25 cents after going
out in the early morning to kill and clean the chickens and prepare
everything from "scratch" as they say.
Velma continued to work toward a degree in education and taught in
Cherryville and Steelville. She graduated from Missouri University,
Columbia and did graduate work in Special Education. She taught for 37
years.
She worked with Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation and was Head Start
Director for two years, starting the Steelville program.
In 1970, she received the Outstanding Educators of America Award. She was a
selected member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary teachers society. She was
a member of Steelville Presbyterian Church, American Legion Auxiliary,
V.F.W. Auxiliary, Retired Teachers Association, Crawford County Republican
Women's Club and two bridge clubs. She enjoyed sewing, reading,
needlepoint, crocheting, cooking and especially very competitive bridge
playing.
Velma's husband, Joy died in 1948 and in 1951, she married Noble Scott who
also preceded her in death in 1975. Her sisters and brothers are deceased.
Her daughter, Martha Martin and daughter's husband are deceased.
Those surviving are her daughter, Joyce, son-in-law Earl Brown, grandsons,
Jeffrey and Stephen (Allison), granddaughter, Molly Martin and great
grandchildren, Mary Catherine and Sarah Elizabeth, daughters of Stephen and
Allison Brown.
Also surviving is one sister-in-law, Ann Mclnnis, nieces, nephews, cousins
and many faithful friends.
Rev. Dale Starr conducted services March 15 at the Britton Chapel. Musical
selections by Pastor Jerry Beers.
Interment was in the Steelville Cemetery. Pallbearers were James Mclnnis,
John Lenhardt, James Lenhardt, Jay Lenhardt, Jerri Lenhardt and Dave
Fournell.

Norma Jean Skaggs
Norma Jean Skaggs nee Abney was born Wednesday, February 20, 1935, at
Goodwater, Mo., a daughter of the late Leslie Porter Abney and Letha
(Parks) Abney. She entered eternal rest Monday, March 10, 2003, in the
Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Rolla, Mo., at the age of 68 years
and 20 days.
On August 1, 1952, in Arkansas, Norma Jean was united in marriage to James
Radis Skaggs, son of William Otis Skaggs and Eva (Chandler) Skaggs. Two
sons and six daughters were born to this union. They enjoyed over fifty
years together.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter,
Donna Sue Britton; two brothers, one infant and Leman Abney, four sisters,
Verda and husband Thurman Hawthorne, Velma and husband Paul Byrd, Bertha
and husband Leonard Thorton, Shirley and husband Robert Herr;
brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Raymond Wagner, Frank and Eulah Evans,
Hildred and Herman Skaggs, Irene Skaggs, Claude Riggs, Ernest Coleman and
an infant sister-in-law.
Among those who remain to mourn her passing are her devoted husband, James
Radis Skaggs of the home; two sons, Wayne Skaggs and wife Mary of
Steelville, Mo., Ronnie Skaggs and wife Stephanie of Blackwell, Oklahoma,
five daughters, Sharon and husband Gary Clark of Carthage, Mo., Debra Stock
and friend Harry Minor of Mori, Illinois, Carol and husband Mark Barton of
Black, Mo., Beverly and husband Larry Combs, Linda Skaggs and friend Jim
Barrett, all of Steelville, Mo., a granddaughter raised as a daughter,
Jessica Skaggs of Viburnum, Mo.
Three brothers, Arnold Abney and wife Betty of Steelville, Mo., Arthur
Abney and wife Shirley of St. Charles, mo., Herman Abney and wife Hilda of
Arnold, Mo.; one sister, Vernice and husband Junes Engelhardt of
Steelville, Mo.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lorene Riggs of
Cherryville, Mo. Gerene Coleman of Pevely, Mo. and Nina Skaggs of High
Ridge, Mo.; nineteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, nieces,
nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Norma Jean Skaggs lay in state 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2003, at the
Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. American Legion Post #601,
Davisville, Mo., of which Norma was an active member, conducted a Memorial
Service at 6 p.m.
Funeral services were held 1 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2003 in the Britton
Chapel with Rev. Sharon Hedrick officiating. Musical selections were
provided by Johnny Setzer and Tom Stock.
Committal prayers and interment were in Czar Cemetery, Viburnum, mo.
Serving as pallbearers were Cody Baker, Mark Baron, Joey Britton, Dreyton
Sexton, Brandon Skaggs, Chris Skaggs and Jimmy Dale Stock.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Britton Brothers Funeral Home,
Steelville, Mo.

Reverend Ernest Slovensky
Reverend Ernest R. Slovensky, 91, of Montgomery City, Mo., died at midnight
on March 12, 2003, at the Audrain Medical Center in Mexico, Mo.
Ernest Richard Slovensky was born February 17, 1912, in Patsy, Mo. to Ernie
Otto "Ed" and Berna Estella Brown Slovensky. Ernest graduated from
Steelville High School. He later attended Flat River College receiving his
teaching certificate. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Education at
Southeast Missouri University at Cape Girardeau and then received his
Masters of Divinity at Eden Seminary.
He married Marie Spaulding in 1941 and she preceded him in death on August
24, 1963. Ernest later married Arline Faye Loyd Buschmann in 1965.
Reverend Slovensky served over 34 churches between the years of 1935
through 1980 in the St. Louis and MO East Conference of the United
Methodist Church. Reverend Slovensky served the Methodist Church in
Montgomery City and Bethel Methodist Church from 1952 until 1957.
He served the Methodist Churches in Hermann and Berger from 1960 until 1965
and after he retired in 1975 he continued his ministry at the United
Methodist Church in Bellflower, Mo., from 1975 until 1980.
Reverend Slovensky enjoyed the outdoors whether he was working or just
relaxing. He grew up on the Meramec River in Crawford County and he
especially enjoyed fishing. He was active in many of the Methodist
activities including the Methodist Men's Organization; the Retired Clergy;
and the Ministerial Alliance.
Reverend Slovensky is survived by his wife, Arline, of Montgomery City,
Mo.; four children, Richard Slovensky and wife, Hope, of Sacramento,
California; Charles Slovensky and wife, Mona, of Dacula, Georgia; Nancy
Stewart and husband, Michael, of Olathe, Kansas; and John William Slovensky
and wife, Sherri, of Montgomery City, Mo.; two foster daughters, Ida Powers
and husband, Ron, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Bernice Bauer of St.
Louis, Mo.
Ten grandchildren, Joshua, Justin and Shannon Slovensky; Marie and Aaron
Stewart; Caleb and Hannah Slovensky; Michael Powers; and James and Kyle
Hufendick; four step grandchildren, Randy Powers and wife, Janelle;
Christal Kellogg and husband, David; James Watson; and Kim Cote and
husband, Steven.
Four step great-grandchildren, Christopher, Dean and Zachary Kellogg and
Kendray Cote; two brothers, Henry Slovensky and wife, Vivian; and Edward
Slovensky and wife, Luna; one sister, Mary Lou Woods and husband, Robert;
numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Reverend Slovensky was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marie
Spaulding Slovensky; and sister, Elizabeth Peterson Smith.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2003, at the
United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Montgomery City, Mo. The Reverend
Jim Slagg and Reverend Paul Schlapbach officiated and interment was at 3
p.m. on Saturday, March 15, at Liberty Cemetery near Steelville, in
Crawford County.
Visitation was held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., on Friday, March 14, at
Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, Mo.
Casketbearers included Joshua Slovensky, Aaron Stewart, Justin Slovensky,
Michael Powers, Ronald Slovensky and Clarence Peterson. Honorary
Casketbearers included Wes River, Paul Scherer, Kerry Dowling, Jim Foster,
Dave Barker, Lee Raber and Dr. Roy Brown.
       ---------
Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the 
Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site.
<http://www.steelvillestar.com/>

====================================================================
     USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by: Joe L. Miller <mio@netins.net>

====================================================================